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Just because you step on a plane does not mean you are a tourist. Many of us travel overseas on business, which means that although you have been to a country you may not have actually seen it.

High-flying business people rack up air miles as second nature, pretty much living in a time zone all on their own with an extensive list of hotels they have stayed in around the world. This lifestyle is not for everyone, of course, as it takes a special person to be able to live life in the fast lane, interacting with associates from all different cultures on a regular basis.

Travelling Business Class

Business class is a magical place that we know exists, but most of us will never experience. For CEOs of major companies, however, this is the only way to travel due to its exclusivity. Only high-ranking personnel travel business class, due to the prices that airlines charge.

What you can expect is lounge access and service on top with flight attendants always willing to go out of their way to meet your every request. Long-haul flights can be uncomfortable, with nothing more than a screen and a set of headphones to keep you company for eight hours. In business class, however, you are treated to a wining and dining experience not out of place at the finest restaurants in the world, and a place to sleep in a comfortable horizontal position.

The champagne flows and, for all hard-working associates, Wi-Fi access is usually on offer for those that wish to stay connected, even when 39,000 feet up in the air.

Where to Stay

Picking the best place to stay can be difficult, but as long as you check off the main key areas then you should be okay. These are:

Other hotel chains offer luxury accommodation on the doorstep of most major airports, specifically targeting high-ranking business people as they travel to and from meetings and conferences.

Making Time for Sight Seeing

Business people will find they have little to no time for sightseeing and being able to get out and explore their new domain, which is a shame. However, it is not unknown for associates to fit this into the schedule as a means of an ice breaker, in much the same way as a round of golf.

Businesses often look to impress visitors by showing them the sights of their local cities, especially if they are based in places such as London, New York and Paris, where you are spoilt for choice of where to take your guests.

Travelling Home

At the end of the trip, when it is time to return home or embark on your next destination, it is important to enjoy a meal before leaving. Good business practice is for the hosts to take their guests out to dinner before leaving, which means enjoying the finest in culinary excellence to celebrate a productive trip and/or a new deal between two parties.

Travelling business class is a whole different world from what the casual tourist is used to but, if you ever have the opportunity to spoil yourself with a seat in business class, it will be an experience that you never forget. Is it worth it? Decide for yourself.

Flying with kids, even ones as old as 12, is rarely any fun — not for you, your kids or others on the plane. Children simply aren’t comfortable in new environments where they are supposed to be calm and well-behaved while they walk single-file, or when they are confined to a seat for hours. It’s an unnatural way to be, as far as kids are concerned, and they will let you know it. What you need is to think of ways to get them to be as comfortable as possible, and to take their minds off their ordeal.

Choose to travel at a child-sensitive hour

Kids don’t like to sleep sitting up If you choose a night flight or even one that involves a time they would normally take a nap, then, they’re going to be very irritable. It’s best to choose to fly at a time when your children are well-rested — preferably in the morning.

See if it can help to sign up as a trusted traveler

The TSA offers something called a trusted traveler program for domestic travel, and Global Entry for international travel, at certain major airports. If you and your family are members, you get to skip the regular security lines and take a shorter, faster moving line. Signing up, however, takes a few months. If you can arrange for this well ahead of time, you could do away with the wait for your children, one of the most challenging parts of traveling with kids. Before you do so, however, you need to make sure that the airports that you will be visiting do have trusted traveler or Global Entry lines.

Think snacks and the toilet

If you never let your kids eat much of the junk food that they like, you could cut them some slack for difficult travel hours. You do need to make sure that they don’t get upset tummies from eating too much junk, however. Pack as many snacks as you believe you are going to let your children eat. It’s also important to think of toilet breaks. If your kids are going to knock back plenty of juice and salty snacks, they will need to go to the toilet all the time. It’s important to maintain a workable balance.

Pack activities

In the past, you would take a DVD player, a music player, a board game and coloring books, for your kids. Now, all kids ever want is to have a phone to poke around in. This actually makes it easier on you, because you have less to carry. Just make sure that the device is packed with the right movies, music, games and coloring apps, and you should be fine. Coloring apps for adults are particularly popular now, even among children. They tend to calm the mind. You could get those (learn more).

Finally, make sure that you carry portable power banks, fully charged. If your kid realizes that his device is about to die midway through the flight, he’ll be inconsolable.

People love to travel. It’s just a fact of life that we enjoy visiting new places, seeing new sights and interacting with different people. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who never had a desire to visit some place new.

But most would agree that the act of traveling — the long hours on trains and planes and inside cars — can be a little frustrating. The good news is that today’s technology companies have designed a lot of great gadgets and apps with travelers in mind. Here are a few of the coolest things travelers can look for today before they head out on their adventure to new places.

A Travel-Sized Washing Machine

Well, technically it’s not a machine, but it sure acts as if it was one. This small, portable, easy-to-use bag can take all of the hassles out of doing your laundry, whether you’re on a business trip in a big city or out the wilderness under the stars.

All you need is about a gallon of water and a little bit of washing soap and you can have a garment of nearly any size cleaned in no time. The bag has hundreds of silicon scrubbers that get out grease and grim when you fill it with the water and soap and use your hands to shake and agitate it. Then, after four or five minutes, you empty the bag and use fresh water to rinse your clothes.

You’ll still need to dry your clothes the old-fashioned way, but you can save time and money while traveling by washing your clothes on your own.

A Great Alarm Clock App

No matter where your travels take you, you’ll probably need to wake up at a reasonable hour, whether it’s to make it to an appointment on time or just to get the most out of your day. The Alarm Clock for Me (available on Google Play) is a great app to do just that.

The app turns your smartphone into a bedside alarm clock with easy-to-read numbers and a pleasing layout. You can set it to wake you up with a traditional alarm sound or with music from your playlists. You can also set a sleep timer with music from your device if you need a little help falling asleep.

Stay Connected With a Friend

If you are going somewhere where there’s no phone reception, this device can connect your smartphone with another one in the area so the devices act like a two-way radio. You can also send messages and receive GPS data.

The device works for several miles, so it’s great for backpackers and hikers who may become separated in the wilderness. Just pair the devices with the antenna and you create a personal network that works in all kinds of terrain. You can check in with your friends or send each other photos without service.

The are travel gadgets and apps out there for people no matter what they’re looking for.

Although exotic and spectacular, Bali is surprisingly a not so expensive travel destination. It’s actually budget-friendly, if you know how to plan and you do it ahead. The ongoing waves of tourists visiting the island did not make the prices go up, luckily. Seasoned visitors say that $50 a day is good enough if you’re committed to enjoying Bali. Here’s what you need to pay attention to for staying within the budget:

The transport

Apart from flights (which you must book in advance), every region in Bali will require you to find an affordable means of transportation, because you’ll be visiting around. Taxis are convenient, but also the most pricey. To spare your budget, you could rent a motorbike, which can be only $3 per day. Also, it’s fun. If you’re not inclined to drive yourself, then opt for a motorbike with a driver.

The accommodation

Bali hotels are for the rich. Hostels and other places for backpackers are cheap but can be such a nuisance. Instead, why not choose private villa accommodation, since prices can be as low as $11 a night? If you’re bringing a group of friends along, you can all stay within the same house, as long as you pick the correct bedroom count. Bali luxury villas Seminyak offers are ideal for those with a taste for comfort and style, so if you’re going to Seminyak you must consider those.

Eating out

While hotel restaurants treat guests to delicious local dishes, like spicy noodle soup or the amazing martabak pancakes, street food is also recommended to the curious. This is incredibly cheap – you can eat well with less than $2. Don’t be shy and visit a warung as well – this is the generic term for local Balinese restaurants with smaller prices than the hotel ones. Stay away from European-owned or other such venues, because those are pricey.

Is the spa worth it?

If you’re in for a spa treatment, start with a massage house. The expense is minimal (around 6$) and is worth it. One hour of massage is definitely rejuvenating. Of course, the more you add to it (herbal essences, oils etc.), the more expensive it becomes. Stay away from spas situated within facilities such as a luxury hotel.

Beach activities

Who can stay away from surfing, parasailing or other beach and water sports in Bali? The weather conditions and the whole setting are marvelous after all. Even better, you can negotiate the price, especially if you’re opting for more of the kind or if you’re not alone.

What to avoid

Besides what was already mentioned, there are several other temptations that can waste your hard-earned money. One of them is the overpriced cocktail, latte or even beer or water bottle. Then, souvenir shops and markets may make you spend more than planned; make sure you have a clear idea of what you want and resist the impulse to buy more. Concerning flight tickets, book anything related early on. Any late purchase from the airline may cost you more. Buy everything online in advance.

Before departure, remember to check how much your bank charges for ATM withdrawals and credit card usage. Tourists, who forget this detail, are later shocked to see they have much less money in the bank than expected.

Navigating your way around London can confuse even the most experienced Londoners, so it’s no surprise that people do find getting around there quite difficult. Therefore we’ve put some tips together for doing just that, to not only save your sanity but also some cash, too.

Know when to get the tube and when it’s not worth it

Sometimes it can actually be quicker to walk to different spots in London rather than getting the tube. Seriously. Check out the tube map which will help you decide whether it’s worth it or not.

Ditch the traffic and walk!

How about avoiding public transport completely and walking?! Many people say that walking is the best way to see London and it’s a lot less stressful than getting the tube or bus…and of course, it’s free!

Avoid the tube at peak times if you can

If you don’t have to use the tube at peak times…don’t! It’s not a great experience as it will be very busy and full of people rushing around. If you do, avoid the middle of the platform like a plague and stand your ground when it comes to boarding the train!

Borrow a Boris Bike

Boris Bikes are really famous as they’ve changed the way that Londoners are getting around. You can hire a bike for a small fee at various points of the city.

Try a boat tour of the Thames

This is a really unique way to see the city and is the perfect way to ditch the traffic and hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Invest in an Oyster card

Especially if you’re working or you’re a student that will be travelling by train frequently, it’s well worth investing in an Oyster card so that you can save money and get organised. When moving to your accommodation for students in London, head to your local station as soon as possible to get some advice on the cheapest ways to get the train.

Look into day-saving tickets for the bus

Like the Oyster card, bus passes and day-saving tickets are really useful for saving money when it comes to travelling on the bus. Buses are really frequent in London and can be a good way to get around.

Avoid taxis as much as possible

Taxis are always more expensive than buses and trains, and they tend to be even more expensive in London so avoid them unless it’s absolutely necessary, especially black cabs.

If planning on driving around, plan ahead

Driving in London can work out to be pretty expensive, with things like the congestion charge and parking charges, so many aim to avoid doing so, especially in the centre. However, it can’t always be avoided, so if you do have to drive, plan ahead to reduce the stress of it and hopefully save some money. There’s a London parking guide that’s useful, along with a guide to access-friendly tube stations which is really useful if you have specific travel requirements.

Traveling is not just for the college kids who want to see the world and maybe study abroad; it’s for everyone with a thirst for adventure and a desire to see new cities and sights. Sometimes your adventure will take you just down the road, and other times it will require flights and bus rides and walking. In fact, no matter how young or old you are, or where you go on vacation, most of your time will be spent walking from place to place.

What many people don’t realize is that it is fairly common for travelers who spend a lot of time sitting or walking to develop a condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis). DVT is caused by blood clots in deep veins. Typically the symptoms of DVT do not show up until anywhere from one week to one month after travel, so you will enjoy the vacation without suffering the side effects until you return home. This is what makes DVT dangerous.

Thankfully, DVT can be prevented.

How to Avoid DVT

Credit Sally Jean (Creative Commons)

Being prepared for your travels can help you prevent the onset of DVT. There are a few different ways to do this, including:

wearing loose-fitting clothing. The less constricting the clothing the less likely you are to induce the blood clots.

drinking a lot of water. Proper hydration can reduce the risk of blood clots.

avoiding foods and drinks that are diuretics, such as coffee, chocolate, and soft drinks.

avoiding alcohol before taking a flight of more than four hours. While alcohol can thin your blood, it is dehydrates your body.

wearing compression socks. These are designed to help the blood circulate properly through your legs, thus reducing the risk of blood clots. The best compression socks for your needs will be sized to fit your legs properly.

Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that these will eliminate risk of DVT completely, but they have been proven to greatly reduce the risk of contracting the condition.

Swollen Ankles and Calves

For those who suffer from swollen ankles or calves after long walks, use of compression socks can reduce the risk of long-term damage to legs and relieve some of the swelling and discomfort. Anyone who is interested in hiking or site-seeing would benefit from packing a couple pairs of compression socks for those days spent mostly on foot.

Why compression socks? They are designed to increase proper blood flow to the lower leg both when active and inactive. That means the risk of swelling from being on your feet for too long, and the risk of blood clots when sitting for too long, is greatly reduced.

The key is to get the right fit. Finding the right size for your feet is critical to the success of the sock. Socks that are too big will not restrict unneeded blood flow; socks that are too small will restrict the blood flow too much and increase the risk of clotting. It’s important to find a professional who can get you properly sized.

So before you travel, consider the benefits of wearing the appropriate socks for your needs. It seems like such a small detail, but it is more important to your health than you realize.

Travelling is an amazing experience regardless of whether you are 3 or 99 years old. Travelling can mean both the fact that you discover amazing places and the fact that you discover (and re-discover) things within you. If you ever thought that your age should stop you from seeing the world and if you ever thought that there is no place for seniors in the travelling world out there, then you should know that you were completely wrong. There is no reason to give up on your life-long dream of travelling the world now that you are a senior and if you are determined to make this happen for yourself, then you should definitely keep in mind the following tips.

Make Your Dreams Come True (Creative Commons)

Choose the Senior Options

Many of the travelling agencies out there actually offer travel packages that are specifically aimed at those who are over 65. This means that in most of the cases, these packages will come as an all-inclusive offer and that they will contain everything you will need during your travels (from transportation to accommodation and so on). If you do go for one such package, remember to see exactly what is covered and what is not covered.

Even more, these special packages are created especially for senior citizens from other points of view as well. Usually, they will include destinations you will find attractive and they will also include facilities that make your life easier during the trip. All in all, such packages can make for a wonderful, safe and hassle-free option when it comes to senior travelling.

In Full Shape (Creative Commons)

Plan Ahead

If you want to save money and to make sure that you don’t forget about anything, plan everything well ahead. This will enable you to think through the options thoroughly, to analyse all the offers, to make lists of things you should not forget and to get ready to see your dream come true. Even more, you can save important sums of money if you book well in advance, which is definitely a plus for everyone out there.

Don’t Forget about Travel Insurance

It is important that you purchase a travel insurance policy as well, because this means that accidents such as losing your luggage at the airport, cancellations you have to make due to bad weather or special situations, having luggage with medication in it lost and many other unfortunate situations will be covered in case they arise. This can actually save you money and the trouble of running around when all you should have to do is relax and enjoy your trip. When you purchase insurance do keep in mind the fact that there are special types of travel insurance for the over 65s that will definitely work to your advantage.

Travelling around the world is one of those things easily considered to be the true spice of life. The more one sees of the world, the more one realizes what a big, wonderful place it truly is. However, for some homeowners who trek around the globe on vacation, they end up returning home to disastrous situations. And these situations aren’t always centered on criminals who broke in or kids who decided to paint the town by trashing your house. Some of these issues include flooding and other serious types of property damage due to neglect.

There is a huge difference in leaving your home unattended and in leaving it unprotected. From tips to reduce flood damage to helpful advice that will reduce your risks of break-ins or vandalism, here are a few different ways to fully secure your home while travelling.

Different Ways to Fully Secure Your Home While Away

1: Locking Up

What does locking up your home really mean? When you’re running off to the store or going to work, locking your door is typically enough. But when you’re leaving for weeks or months, locking up takes on a completely different meaning. Make sure you truly secure your home by locking:

Your doors

Your windows

Your garage

Your basement

Any type of access panels

Your skylights, or any other potential entry point

Your spare automobiles

Your storage shed

Though criminals are notorious for breaking down doors and windows, the statistics suggest that forced entry crimes are statistically rare versus unlawful entry crimes (where a door, window or 2nd floor French door was left unlocked). And, of course, nothing beats a good security system.

2: Shutting Down

Taking steps to avoid a break-in is essential, but it’s not only criminals and vandals that cause damage. What if you leave the gas on and something causes a spark? What if a pipe bursts, heavy rains hit, or a tap suddenly gives way? Locking up is smart, but actually shutting down your home can prevent serious property damage. Shut down your home by:

Turning all the gas sources off

Shutting down the main water supply

Fortifying the basement against heavy rains

Making sure your drainage systems are functional

There is a flipside to shutting down. Some things you may want to leave on. For instance:

You may want to leave your lights on for periodic use (see securing a lookout below)

You may want to leave your land line active with a message that states “Stepped out for a bit, be back shortly, etc.”

If you have a weekly lawn care visit, you may want to keep it

3: Securing a Lookout

Unless you live in a secluded location, trusted neighbors can be a big help while you’re away. Having one trusted neighbor tasked with keeping an eye on the home allows your home to appear occupied to those looking for abandoned houses. It also puts someone in and around the home in case it starts to flood, a fire starts, or some other unfortunate circumstance arises. A lookout can help you in numerous ways, including:

Turning your lights on periodically to ensure a lived-in look

Checking your pipes and drainage systems

Making sure no one has attempted to break in

Storing some of your more valuable pieces

Handling any visitors to the home

A lookout gives you extra peace of mind and guards against any smaller problems becoming much larger problems over time.

4: Removing “Secret” Entry Points

Hiding a spare key under that fake rock, the door mat or under some leaves is really dangerous at any time, particularly while you’re away for extended periods. Likewise with having a back door lock that you can shimmy open in a pinch. These might stand as secret conveniences to you, but they’re no safeguard against someone who wants to break in.

Make sure you take security seriously and remove and fix these “secret” entry points that so many homeowners have.

5: Delaying Your Mail

When your mail stacks up, it doesn’t matter that your phone is still active or that your lights come on periodically. Anyone on the lookout for empty houses will take that as a sign that your home is ripe for the picking. If you don’t have a neighbor coming over to collect your mail, make sure you cancel it for the length of your vacation, have it sent to a P.O. box, or some other solution.

Also, have any papers cancelled and don’t order any packages that may arrive while you’re away.

Securing your home is a matter of great importance, even if your trip is on the short side. You never know when a pipe will malfunction, when a flood or fire will occur, or when that friendly neighborhood cat burglar is on the prowl. The more steps you take to guard against damage and break-ins, the safer you’ll be.

The beauty of Thailand is definitely unbeatable and there is always something about it that appears to be like an image anchored in a dream. Warm-coloured Thailand is far from being a dream and it can become as real as you want it to be, even if you can’t afford to spend your entire lifetime savings. In the end, it all depends on your choices and on what you are looking for in this entire trip.

Kho Phi Phi, Thailand (Creative commons)

Thailand: From Your Airport to Heaven on Earth

Thailand cannot be compared to anything else out there. Right in between the rich and extremely diverse Indian culture and the more Westernized ideas, this is a place that seems to be torn out of Heaven and nothing less. From the moment you start looking for flights from London to Bangkok, you know that you are making the first step into bringing dream into real life and into blending them together in a location that is as real as your home is.

The moment you will step foot on Thai soil, you will be amazed. The Bangkok airport itself seems to be torn between tradition and contemporaneity and you will have the chance to get a taste of what Thailand is really like. The amazing décor of the airport will be the greatest welcome message you could ever get from this country itself.

Startling Thailand (Creative commons)

Explore, Learn and Keep with You

Thailand is a jewel of the world and it will have something to offer for every kind of traveller out there. It literally has hundreds of attractions only in its capital city, Bangkok and if you want to explore further, the sky is the limit when it comes to the amazing things you can see and experience beyond Bangkok’s borders.

If you are looking into infusing yourself with Thai spirituality and beauty, then the Temple of Dawn (or WatArun) will definitely be one of the first things you will want to see. There is nothing like it in the entire world and everything about this place will leave you in absolute awe: gold and gods meet together for a feast in this great temple of Thailand.

And if you are looking for adventure, the Escape Hunt Experience amusement park in Bangkok will be absolutely great. Fun, interactive and extremely entertaining, this is a unique experience you will most likely not get the chance to live anywhere else in the world. A game of mystery, enjoyment and learning – this is what you should expect from this park!

As a matter of fact, this is what would describe the entirety of Thailand best as well and you will want to keep its memory with you for as long as you live. Your experience in Bangkok is something you will not be able to describe in words, but something you will keep in your mind and in your soul.